Steven's Debut at Carnegie Hall in New York City(Special City of Chicago Mayoral and Council Resolution, follows)

On Sunday May 30, 2010, twenty year old pianist Steven Solomon had his performance debut at Carnegie Hall in the Isaac Stern Auditorium/Ronald O. Perelman Stage.

Steven, along with his sixteen fellow musicians and two conductors in the Western Illinois University (Macomb, Illinois) Jazz Studio Orchestra, were invited to play at Carnegie Hall as part of it’s annual Ensemble Spotlight Series.

They were invited to accompany three well known European musicians from Italy. Bepi Damato, clarinetist; Mauro De Federicis, guitarist; and Marco Renzi, conductor and composer. All three tour the world, performing with the renowned "Italian Big Band."

During the performance, Steven was one of the featured soloist in the piece "Watching for Watchung Plaza" written by John Cooper, Director of the Western Illinois University Jazz Studio Orchestra. Steven also accompanied and provided counter point for the featured guest artist, clarinetist, Bepi Damonto on different pieces, in addition to playing with the full group in all the pieces played.

The energy, passion, and love of music that was played by the seventeen talentedstudents of the WIU Jazz Studio Orchestra resonated throughout Carnegie Hall.

From their arrival on stage, to the lively hand clapping and toe tapping participation by the 2,000 plus audience, to the standing ovation at the concert’s conclusion and rousing demand by the audience for the JSO to play an unplanned encore, it was an unforgettable evening for the JSO members, conductors, featured artists and their family and friends who were a part of it.

For Steven and his fellow student band members this was an experience of a lifetime. They all understood and reveled in the prestige and honor of what it means for a musician to be invited to play at Carnegie Hall. They felt the presence of the scores of world class musicians who have previously graced this special stage.

Steven describes some of the moment. "When I came out on stage, I looked out at the huge audience and the beautiful auditorium and curving tiers of box seats, and then sat down at the beautiful Steinway and Sons grand piano. I was momentarily overwhelmed and dazed with the idea of all the great pianist’ who have touched these keys I was now touching and who have played on this stage. And that here I was, just twenty years old, getting the opportunity to play at such an important place for musicians and to be able to make music here with my fellow school band members who are also my friends. And seeing my family in the audience to support us, well, I find it hard to find the right words to describe the feelings. It was beyond awesome."

(In the audience at Carnegie Hall that evening, were Steven’s family, which including Steven, represented three generations of long-time Edgewater-Chicago residents. Steven’s 90 year old grand father, Bob Sr.; Steven Dad, Bob Jr.; Steven’s Mom, Mila; Steven’s Aunt Jan, along with special ‘family members’ Betty and Michael, and two other friends who are former residents of Edgewater, now living in New York.)

The city of Chicago presented a resolution to Steven honoring him for his debut performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City in May of 2010, and for his extensive musical accomplishments as a young professional pianist in Chicago. Presented July 2010, when Steven was 20 years old. (To download the resolution, click on the link found below the document)

Click here to download the City of Chicago Resolution presented to Steven